Santee tribe to honor anniversary of executions in Mankato

SANTEE, Neb. — While most Americans are celebrating Christmas next week, the Dakota people in Santee, Neb., will be honoring the 150th anniversary of the executions of 38 Dakota Sioux Indians.

The men were hanged on Dec. 26, 1862, in Mankato, Minn., in the largest mass execution in American history.

The chairman of the Santee tribal council, Roger Trudell, says it's a piece of the nation's past that not many people have learned. He tells the Yankton Press & Dakotan that almost all of the Santee people are direct descendants of those killed in the hangings.

The deaths marked the end of the Dakota War of 1862.

The tribe has long honored the occasion, but this year's event will include horses dressed in regalia with drapes commemorating each of the men killed.